Beacon

/ˈbiːkən/ · noun

Meaning

A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning..

Definitions by Sense

1. A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
2. (nautical) A signal, buoy, post, or other conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners, particularly to warn vessels of danger.
3. A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers.
4. (figurative) That which gives notice of danger, hope, etc., or keeps people on the correct path; a source of inspiration.
5. An electronic device that broadcasts a signal to nearby portable devices, enabling smartphones etc. to perform actions when in physical proximity to the beacon.
6. (Internet) Ellipsis of web beacon.
7. (intransitive) To act as a beacon.
8. (transitive) To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.

Example Sentences

No flaming Beacons caſt their Blaze afar, / The dreadful Signal of invaſive VVar.

Henceforth, wherever thou may’st roam, / ⁠My blessing, like a line of light, / ⁠Is on the waters day and night, / And like a beacon guards thee home.

a beacon of hope

Modest doubt is called / The beacon of the wise.

Latin America’s largest economy, with a population of more than 200 million people, is a beacon for China’s delivery and ride-hailing companies looking to export their ruthlessly low-cost business models.

That beacons the darkness of heaven.

Synonyms for beacon

Antonyms for beacon

Related Words

Word Forms

• beacons
• beaconing
• beaconed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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